Ed Orgeron explains how he will recruit in final months at LSU

Ed Orgeron won’t be the head coach at LSU in 2022 but he still has a recruiting class to wrap up with 2022 recruits. Despite the amicable split between Orgeron and LSU that keeps him coaching through the end of the season, the gruff-talking Cajun wants to help the Tigers keep their 14 commits and finish the class, too.

It could be tough for LSU to hold on to many recruits without a successor lined up. The class of 14 commits all pledged their next four years to play for Coach O.

The national championship-winning head coach acknowledged he can’t do anything about the relationship aspect but there’s still a lot LSU has to offer.

“There’s a lot of things that LSU can sell,” Orgeron said on Monday. “When you come to LSU, you’re going to get a great education and you’re going to network, none of that’s going to change. You have a chance to play in the SEC, none of that’s going to change. You’re going to come here and compete against some of the best players in the country, so none of that changes.”

The Tigers have already lost one of their four-star commits in the 2022 class. New Orleans Edna Karr wide receiver Aaron Anderson decommitted the day after news broke about Ed Orgeron’s impending departure.

“I feel like it’s best for me to reopen my recruitment because Coach O was the main reason I committed to LSU,” Anderson said. “We had a special bond outside of football & he really made me feel like I was his family.”

Programs all over the country will try to poach more prospects away from LSU. That’s what Alabama is attempting to do with Anderson.

Orgeron, LSU trying to hold 2022 class together

Prior to Aaron Anderson’s decommitment, the Tigers had nine players ranked in the 2022 On300. They were considered the favorite for a number of uncommitted prospects, especially in the state of Louisiana, as well.

With Orgeron’s departure looming over the rest of the season, LSU will have to fend off lots of advances from other programs as they find a new head coach.

Chief among those who will likely hear from other schools is Lafayette (La.) St. Thomas More quarterback Walker Howard. The four-star signal-caller is one of the best in the country (No. 66 in the On300), and a number of major programs will inquire about him. Howard was scheduled to visit Notre Dame earlier this season but didn’t make the trip after suffering a leg injury.

As it stands currently, the Tigers hold the No. 9 overall recruiting class in 2022 and the No. 3 class in the SEC.

On3’s Keegan Pope also contributed to this report.